The levels of TCE and other VOCs in some, former, drinking
water wells at the Stamina Mills site do not currently pose
a public health threat because the levels are below levels
which would be expected to cause adverse health effects.
However, if the phase II groundwater monitoring and
subsequent sampling activities do not continue to provide
full-scale groundwater treatment, migrating contaminated
plume might impact any drinking water wells in the future.
Such potential exposure might cause congenital heart
disease, eye and ear abnormalities, and leukemias in
children born to mothers who could be potentially exposed to
high levels of TCE. A similar, potential, exposure to high
levels of vinyl chloride might result to less serious liver
problems including hepatoma.
Some of the homes with private wells in the area of the
contaminated plume have been connected to public water
supply. There is no further indication that those private
wells are being used for potable water purposes.
There are private wells in use in the area that have not
been tested since 1993, and are not connected to public
water supply.
Enforce stricter restrictions of the use of contaminated
private wells in the area as an urgent matter, for example,
conduct private well surveys, test private wells
periodically, and connect all households with contaminated
private wells to public water supply.
Continue the quarterly, groundwater, monitoring and
subsequent sampling to further assess the status of
contaminants in the plume. This recommendation is important
because the 1995 and 1996 groundwater monitoring data
indicates that concentrations of contaminants are shown to
fluctuate, and that the TCE-contaminated plume appears to be
migrating.
ATSDR will continue to review environmental data for public
health purposes as it becomes available. If you have questions
about this consultation, please contact Ms Susanne Simon, ATSDR
Regional Representative at 617-223-5526; or Dr. Moses Kapu with
ATSDR at 404-639-0628 or 800-447-1544. The 800 number is a free
call.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Site
Review and Update for Stamina Mills, Inc., North Smithfield,
Providence County, Rhode Island. September 1993.
Eastern Research Group, Inc. Report on the Stamina Mills,
Inc. Site, North Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode
Island. Prepared for the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry, Division of Health Assessment and
Consultation, Atlanta, Georgia. ATSDR Contract No. 205-95-0901; Task Order No. 0901-07. April 1996.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Preliminary Public Health Assessment for Stamina Mills Inc.
Site, North Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island. November 1988.
Environmental and Safety Designs. Inc. Tenth Quarter -
September/October 1995, Phase II Groundwater Monitoring
Report Stamina Mills Superfund Site, North Smithfield, Rhode
Island. Prepared for Kayser-Roth Corporation, Greensboro,
North Carolina. USEPA Docket No. I-91-1070. January 1995.
Environmental and Safety Designs. Inc. Eleventh Quarter -
March 1996, Phase II Groundwater Monitoring Report Stamina
Mills Superfund Site, North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Prepared for Kayser-Roth Corporation, Greensboro, North
Carolina. USEPA Docket No. I-91-1070. May 1996.
Review and Approval of Health Consultation for Groundwater
Monitoring Data, Stamina Mills Site, North Smithfield, Rhode
Island
